JOHANNESBURG - South African Airways has had to cancel 60-percent of its flights because of the ongoing pilot strike.
The national carrier is offering an 8-percent wage increase, but pilots are not budging on their 15.7-percent demand, down from 30 in May.
The airline says it will go bankrupt if it gives in to this demand.
SAA has described the pilots' strike as unnecessary and irresponsible.
The pilots' association decided to ground flights on Thursday, after months-long negotiations reached a stalemate.
Among their demands is a pay increase and better working conditions.
SAA say this strike is detrimental to the carrier that has just recently found its wings.
Vuyo Wakaba, captain and chairperson of the SAA Pilots Strike Committee, discussed the reasons for the strike as a representative of the South African Airways Pilots' Association.